Renault to return to Le Mans

Renault is poised to announce its immediate return to sportscar racing according to French sources. The manufacturer will partner with the Signatech team initially as an LMP2 engine supplier via Renaultsport. These engines will carry the Alpine brand which will be relaunched this year, along with a new production car developed jointly with Caterham.

The engine supply deal is likely to lead to a full works LMP1 effort in the future possibly using the Renault RS34 Formula 1 power unit. Which complies with the 2014 LMP technical regulations.

It is thought that a manufacturer was behind the unification of F1 and LMP1 powertrain regulations but at the Monaco Grand Prix last year Renaultsport denied any interest in Le Mans (but later requested a copy of the LMP1 regulations!)

Renault’s return to Le Mans will pitch the marque directly against its partner Nissan which dominates the LMP2 category with the VK45DE engine. Nissan has also announced its intention to head into LMP1 in future.

Renault is likely to announce the programme at Le Mans later this week.A full technical analysis of the new 2014 Renault engine, as well as the new for 2013 standard F1 ECU can be read below:

Sam Collins has worked for Racecar Engineering for more than a decade. His passion for racing began during his work experience in the loom shop of Williams F1 aged 16 and he has been involved in the sport ever since. Sam attended Oxford Brookes University to study Automotive Engineering and has written for many publications since, including Motorsport News and Autosport. He is Associate Editor of Racecar Engineering

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